The best places to eat and drink in Oxford: my top 21 recommendations (1-8)

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all doing well. Now that I’m back in Oxford for good, it’s high time I told told you a bit more about this beautiful city, where I have had the privilege of studying for the past couple of years. I’ve already devoted three articles to the lingo used among students here, but in today’s post, I’m going to be moving onto another, equally important, topic: the food we eat!

Many of us will choose to have the dinners provided by our colleges, or will prepare our own dishes using the kitchens in our accommodation, but once in a while, we all like to treat ourselves to a good old meal out. Whether you’re thinking of joining the University, or are simply planning a day trip to Oxford, if you want to know twenty-one of the city’s best-loved wining and dining spots in the city, just keep reading!

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(Quick disclaimer: I have, of course, been to all the eateries mentioned below, but since I haven’t visited most of them since I started blogging, I’m afraid I won’t be able to include many photos of the actual food that they serve. However, if I do have a meal out soon, I’ll be sure to update this post. For now, I’ve added pictures of these restaurants’ facades, so that at least if you do decide to check a couple out for yourself, you won’t have any problem spotting them!)

Cheap eats

Let’s face it: we students have a pretty tight budget to keep to. Luckily these four restaurants exist, so that we can enjoy the occasional meal out, without totally draining our bank accounts!

The White Rabbit

There are many places in Oxford to get pizza (as you’ll realise after reading this article), but the best option of them all has got to be the White Rabbit pub. Nestled away in Friars Entry, it’s a lovely, cosy spot for an affordable lunch or dinner, offering an extensive Italian menu. Can’t decide what to order? I highly recommend the Siciliana pizza: it may not to be the most wacky choice on the list, but I promise that it’s bursting with flavour!

Top tip: The White Rabbit may be hidden away, but it’s certainly still a place that attracts the crowds. Get there on the early side, then, to ensure that you don’t have to wait around for a table.

G&D’s

George and Davis (or G&D’s, as it’s known by the locals) has a place in just about every Oxford student’s heart. Split across three different locations, it’s most famous for its delicious homemade ice cream (get the Daim bar flavour, if it’s on offer that day, or try one of their scrumptious ice cream cakes!), but is also a great choice for anyone who’s after a fresh salad or toasted bagel.

Heads-up: G&D’s offers free WiFi to all its customers, so if you’re a ‘study session in a coffee shop’ kind of person, this is the perfect place for you!

Gino’s Spaghetti House

Craving carbs? Get yourself down to the family-run Gino’s Spaghetti House, where – you guessed it – many a pasta (not to mention pizza) dish is served. I’ve actually only been here once, for a celebratory dinner with my Italian classmates, but I distinctly remember the homely atmosphere of the place, and know that I won’t make it all the way to graduation without making another trip.

Just so you know: if you’re planning on dining here in a large group, be sure to book in advance. This place may not be bang in the centre of town, but it certainly attracts plenty of customers!

Buongiorno e Buonasera

Can you tell that I like Italian food? Last in the ‘cheap eats’ category is the superb Buongiorno e Buonasera café, also split across multiple locations. Come here, and indulge in anything from pizza (they have an all you can eat offer, if you’re feeling extra hungry), to cannoli! Fancy a drink? There’s no better place than here to enjoy an authentic Aperol Spritz. Order a round of them, and don’t forget to salute your companions with a ‘chin-chin’!

Great news: if you’re drowning in work, or are just feeling too lazy to go outside, fear not! Buongiorno e Buonasera is now on Deliveroo, so you can enjoy their food from the comfort of your own home.

On the go

Life can get pretty hectic when you’re doing a full-time degree (and even if you’re not!), which means there isn’t always time either to cook for yourself or to go out for a sit-down meal. If you need to grab a quick bit to eat while on the go, these are the takeaway shops that you should be making a bee-line for.

The Alternative Tuck Shop

If I’m ever going through an essay crisis – or am feeling too sluggish to walk to the nearest supermarket – I’ll nip across Holywell Street, and grab myself a snack or two from the Alternative Tuck Shop. Even if it were located further away from my college, though, I think I’d be a frequent customer at this place. After all, not only are their sandwiches, wraps, pastries, and cakes next to none; the service here is also excellent. There may be long queues when you arrive, but you’ll never have to wait more than about five minutes to get your food.

Warning: this sandwich deli is cash-only, so if you don’t have any spare change on you, you’ll have to make a quick trip to the ATMs in Turl Street.

Mission Burrito

Mexican food lovers, or students looking to cure hangovers: Mission Burrito will be right up your street! Burritos are, of course, the staple dish here – and jolly tasty they are, too! – but tacos, nachos, salads, and rice boxes are also available. Got a big appetite? Try your hand at one of the restaurant’s eating challenges, and you could be in with a chance of winning a hilarious T-shirt!

Not got any time to spare? Place your order online, and when you rock up, your food will be all ready and waiting for you to take away.

Westgate Social Street Food

Don’t want to restrict yourself to one cuisine? Head downstairs in the Westgate shopping centre, and see what takes your fancy in the Social Street Food area! My favourite trader here has got to be Ned’s Noodle Bar, but new companies are coming on the scene all the time, so whether you fancy pasta or a burger, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Good news: if you’re not in a great rush, there are plenty of seating areas down here, where you can enjoy your meal at as leisurely a pace as you desire.

Gloucester Green Market

Another great place to check out, if you’re looking for lots of variety, is the Gloucester Green Market. Open four days a week (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays), this multicultural trading spot boasts dozens of enticing street food stalls, with owners from countries as near as France, and as far as Thailand. Take a stroll around all the different stands, and see if your stomach doesn’t rumble at least ten times!

Need help picking where to eat? It may not be the most adventurous choice of food, but you can never go wrong with a Margherita from the Pizza Statione van!

This is just the start!

After a quick glance at the current word count of this post – not to mention the current time! – I’ve decided that it’s probably best to save my other recommendations for a second article. Part two of the ‘best places to eat and drink in Oxford’ series will be coming your way tomorrow, then, so stay tuned to discover all of my favourite fancy restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.

In the meantime, if by some bizarre coincidence, you’re going to be in Oxford in the next twenty-four hours, be sure to try out some of the dining places I’ve already suggested above. If you’re somewhere else in the world, be sure to add this city to your travel bucket list, so that you, too, can sample some of these culinary delights. Bon appétit, and catch you soon!

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